The second part of this is location, we live in the Augusta area and would have easy access to the upper GA lower SC area, there are a few multi families in the area but are lower end.

One of the most precious things that you have is time, and you are young.

@Chris CapersFollowing are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k SimilaritiesBoth were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions; andBoth are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m)The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k DifferencesIn order to open a solo 401k, self-employment, whether on a part-time or full-time basis, is required;To open a self-directed IRA, self-employment income is not required;In order to gain IRA checkbook control over the self-directed IRA funds, a limited liability company (IRA LLC) must be utilized;The solo 401k allows for checkbook control from the onset;The solo 401k allows for personal loan known as a solo 401k loan;It is prohibited to borrow from your IRA;The Solo 401k may be invested in life insurance;The self-directed IRA may not be invested in life insurance;The solo 401k allow for high contribution amounts (for 2017, the solo 401k contribution limit is $54,000, whereas the self-directed IRA contribution limit is $5,500);The solo 401k business owner can serve as trustee of the solo 401k;The self-directed IRA participant/owner may not serve as trustee or custodian of her IRA; instead, a trust company or bank institution is required;When distributions commence from the solo 401k a mandatory 20% of federal taxes must be withheld from each distribution and submitted electronically to the IRS by the 15th of the month following the date of each distribution;Rollovers and/or transfers from IRAs or qualified plans (e.g., former employer 401k) to a solo 401k are not reported on Form 5498, but rather on Form 5500-EZ, but only if the air market value of the solo 401k exceeds $250K as of the end of the plan year (generally 12/31);When funds are rolled over or transferred from an IRA or 401k to a self-directed IRA, the amount deposited into the self-directed IRA is reported on Form 5498 by the receiving self-directed IRA custodian by May of the year following the rollover/transfer.Rollovers (provided the 60 day rollover window is satisfied) from an IRA to a Solo 401k or self-directed IRA are reported on lines 15a and 15b of Form 1040;Pre-tax IRA contributions on reported on line 32 of Form 1040;Pre-tax solo 401k contributions are reported on line 28 of Form 1040;Roth solo 401k funds are subject to RMDs;A Roth 401k may be transferred to a Roth IRA (Note that from a planning perspective, it may be advantageous to transfer Roth Solo 401k funds to a Roth IRA before turning age 70 ½ in order to escape the Roth RMD requirement applicable to Roth 401k contributions including Roth Solo 401k contributions and earnings.)

Why would I put excess share of my precious capital in a mortgage to save 4% APR, when I could buy another rental and earn way more?

I know your time is precious, and I appreciate that you are taking your time to teach me.

Real estate works on multi-year trends, so have you tested whether it is preferable to buy precious metals only when there is a crisis, and keep buying rentals otherwise?

Therefore, the self-directed IRA custodian’s role in connection with the IRA is greatly reduced to, for example, issuing annual Form 5498, processing annual valuation directive of IRA owned LLC, which is provided by the LLC manager to the custodian, and processing and reporting IRA distributions once distributions commence, to name a few.Further, holding and safekeeping fees are eliminated with respect to the alternative investment holdings, with the exception of precious metals, which the regulations require stored with an approved depository institution such as Delaware Depository.The self-directed solo 401k may not be a good option for you since Roth IRA funds cannot be transferred to a Roth solo 401k.

I currently work with the Housing and Community Development Department for the City of Augusta.

Howdy...from Augusta (although we have one property listed in Hephzibah). 

I am Brian Wallace and I currently live in Augusta Ga.